Fence paint v deck paint, is it all the same?

[megaphone]

I need to paint a deck/veranda. Decking paint is more expensive than fence paint, is there any real difference? I've checked the 'ingredients' on the tubs and it all looks the same stuff.

[OutInTheShed]

'Deck Paint' is 'paint with sand in it' for the decks of boats.

'Fence paint' offers a wide range of choices, many of which would wear through quickly if walked on and probably transfer to your shoes and get indoors?

[megaphone]

OutInTheShed said:

'Deck Paint' is 'paint with sand in it' for the decks of boats.

'Fence paint' offers a wide range of choices, many of which would wear through quickly if walked on and probably transfer to your shoes and get indoors?

Thanks, not the stuff for boat decks.



https://www.toolstation.com/ronseal-ultimate-prote...

https://www.toolstation.com/ronseal-fence-life-plu...

[OutInTheShed]

That fence life stuff leaves a thin film on the surface that will rub off.
Also not brilliant for horizontal surfaces with water lying on.
But it's OK for fences and cost effective, even if I personally hate the look of it.

[geeks]

megaphone said:

Thanks, not the stuff for boat decks.



https://www.toolstation.com/ronseal-ultimate-prote...

https://www.toolstation.com/ronseal-fence-life-plu...

I asked Ronseal once what the difference was and they never gave me a straight answer. We used their fence paint on our decking for years without issue. We have also used their decking paint at our new place and would actually say its not worn as well as the fence stuff. The fence stuff we used wasnt the fence life plus though just their standard dark oak

[Portofino]

We used fence paint on the sleepers around our decking & it leaves an oily pool of water when it rains so we decided not to use it on the decking. Dead easy to put on though.

Decking paint is harder to work with but soaks in & doesn’t leave oily puddles & is harder wearing as a result.

[Snow and Rocks]

Avoid painting decks if at all possible - it looks good for about 10 minutes before it all inevitably starts to peel and flake.

Natural timber left to silver or maybe oil it at a push. If it's already painted then I'd genuinely consider sanding or pressure washing it all off.

[dhutch]

My thoughts on this are.....


a) Buy cheap buy twice, good paint costs money.
b) Wouldnt paint decking unless really had to.

[OutInTheShed]

Snow and Rocks said:

Avoid painting decks if at all possible - it looks good for about 10 minutes before it all inevitably starts to peel and flake.

Natural timber left to silver or maybe oil it at a push. If it's already painted then I'd genuinely consider sanding or pressure washing it all off.

I'd say avoid wooden decking altogether if you can!
Around here, it rots and gets slimy and slippery.

I have a small area which I've treated with wood preserver and diluted teak oil.

The 'composite' fake wood stuff seems good but isn't cheap.

[dhutch]

OutInTheShed said:

I'd say avoid wooden decking altogether if you can!

See also fences, and brick walls!

[sam greenock]

We've just done teh fence, first time since new 8 years ago.

Next door neighbour done theirs last summer, used Cuprinol Ducks Back - took 4 coats, 3 weeks and best part of £200 in paint

We used UK Paint Shed/Fence Paint - one coat put a solid covering on the wood, with no bits shining through - it's an acrylic paint.

Cost was £50 for a 20 litre drum - done 99% of fence (around 60 metres), we bought a 2nd drum to do outside of fence next - absolutely brilliant stuff

UKPAINT - www.ukpaint.co.uk

They do other wood paints too, barn paint etc

[sam greenock]

We've just done teh fence, first time since new 8 years ago.

Next door neighbour done theirs last summer, used Cuprinol Ducks Back - took 4 coats, 3 weeks and best part of £200 in paint

We used UK Paint Shed/Fence Paint - one coat put a solid covering on the wood, with no bits shining through - it's an acrylic paint.

Cost was £50 for a 20 litre drum - dun 99% of fence, we bought a 2nd drum to do outside of fence next - absolutely brilliant stuff

UKPAINT - www.ukpaint.co.uk

They do other wood paints too, barn paint etc

[sam greenock]

We've just done teh fence, first time since new 8 years ago.

Next door neighbour done theirs last summer, used Cuprinol Ducks Back - took 4 coats, 3 weeks and best part of £200 in paint

We used UK Paint Shed/Fence Paint - one coat put a solid covering on the wood, with no bits shining through - it's an acrylic paint.

Cost was £50 for a 20 litre drum - dun 99% of fence, we bought a 2nd drum to do outside of fence next - absolutely brilliant stuff

UKPAINT - www.ukpaint.co.uk

They do other wood paints too, barn paint etc

[Snow and Rocks]

OutInTheShed said:

I'd say avoid wooden decking altogether if you can!
Around here, it rots and gets slimy and slippery.

I have a small area which I've treated with wood preserver and diluted teak oil.

The 'composite' fake wood stuff seems good but isn't cheap.

We’re on a hillside in darkest Aberdeenshire which is cold but relatively dry by Scottish standards and it actually ages pretty well as long as it's in an airy spot with plenty of direct sunshine to dry out the surface properly. The stuff on my covered South facing porch is obviously in great nick after several years but even the stuff I have that's not under cover is fine.

In the shade or around trees - forget it.

[megaphone]

geeks said:

megaphone said:

Thanks, not the stuff for boat decks.



https://www.toolstation.com/ronseal-ultimate-prote...

https://www.toolstation.com/ronseal-fence-life-plu...

I asked Ronseal once what the difference was and they never gave me a straight answer. We used their fence paint on our decking for years without issue. We have also used their decking paint at our new place and would actually say it's not worn as well as the fence stuff. The fence stuff we used wasnt the fence life plus though just their standard dark oak

This is the same feedback as I'm getting, no real difference, I suspect they just charge more for the same stuff in a different tin.

[megaphone]

Snow and Rocks said:

Avoid painting decks if at all possible - it looks good for about 10 minutes before it all inevitably starts to peel and flake.

Natural timber left to silver or maybe oil it at a push. If it's already painted then I'd genuinely consider sanding or pressure washing it all off.

Unfortunately it was already painted by the previous owner, I've already jet washed it, but it doesn't look good and is stained and patchy. It's a raised veranda, so lots of hand rail balustrades and posts, I'll probably leave the actual deck, or just oil it.